Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 21478 on Local Government: Correspondence and with reference to the letter of 16 December 2024 to local authority leaders from the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, how the (a) number of councillors and (b) electoral wards will be decided for new unitary local authorities; and what plans she has to consult the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

My department is working closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to ensure that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.